An abnormally high error count in the Women's State of Origin series opener has led both camps to suggest the representative series would be better in the post-season.
Each side committed 15 handling errors in Queensland's 18-10 defeat of NSW on Thursday night, with the Maroons' dismal 65 per cent completion rate only marginally better than the Sky Blues' 62.
While dewy conditions contributed to the sloppy ball control, the 30 errors were still more than double the number conceded in last year's stand-alone Origin game in Canberra (14).
That game fell between the delayed 2021 NRLW season, which finished in April, and the 2022 season that began in August, so players were still acclimatised to the pace of elite football.
In contrast, Thursday night's clash came before the NRLW season that is set to begin in July but more than six months after the World Cup concluded in mid-November.
Since the World Cup, the All Stars and City vs Country matches have been the only opportunities for women's players to line up at the elite level.
NSW coach Kylie Hilder believed the lack of game time had contributed to the rustiness on display at Sydney's CommBank Stadium.
"It's definitely been an issue and I think that showed tonight," she said.
"It's been really tough, this week, trying to make sure we've got the right balance of what we're doing in training to get some mileage in their legs and get them ready for that fatigue."
Hilder believed the lack of game time was partially to blame for winger Tiana Penitani withdrawing from the side on game day with an injury.
"It was actually a factor of why she hurt her hamstring," she said.
"I just feel if we're going to play Origin and we want the best product, we need to be making sure these girls come out of a really quality competition.
"Because it's been really hard as the coach, preparing these girls for such a physical game."
Queensland fullback Tamika Upton echoed Hilder's sentiment but conceded there was less free time on the calendar now the NRLW season had been extended to accommodate the expanded 10-team competition.
"Obviously the scheduling is really hard with the club season, NRLW being longer and Origin but I'd love to play it at the end of the year," Upton said.
"I'm sick of cramping with about half an hour to go because we've played absolutely no footy and you come into the fastest game that you'll ever play all year."
